Madhya Pradesh State PCS

• 07 Sep 2021

International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

Why in News

• On September 7, 2021, the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board directed all the regional officers of the state to organize a public awareness program on 'International Day of Clean Air for Blue Sky'.

Key Points

• In view of the serious adverse effects of air pollution on the environment and human health, it was decided by the United Nations Environment Program to organize 'International Day of Clean Air for Blue Sky' on 7^th September.
  
  • A resolution for the same was passed on 19^th December, 2019.
• For the first time it was held in 2020 with the theme 'Clean Air for All'. For 2021 its theme is 'Healthy Air, for Healthy Planet'.
• Instructions have been given to organize webinars with the participation of maximum people to make the general public aware of the increasing air pollution and climate change in the cities.
• Along with this, instructions have also been given to make people familiar with the implementation of the action plan for 'Non-Attainment City' with a view to improve the ambient air quality.
• It is noteworthy that the 'National Clean Air Program' is being run by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to improve the urban air quality.
  
  • In this, out of 132 cities of the country, 6 cities of Madhya Pradesh – Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Sagar and Dewas are included.
    
    • An action plan is being prepared and implemented to improve the air quality of these cities. Along with this, the work of measurement of ambient air quality is also being done in major cities of the state.

State's First Passenger 'Pink Bus'

Why in News

• On September 6, 2021, Madhya Pradesh's Tourism, Culture and Spiritual Minister Usha Thakur along with Municipal Corporation Commissioner Pratibha Pal flagged off the state's first pink bus in Indore.
  
  • This bus is operated by Atal Indore City Transport Services Limited (AICTSL).

Key Points

• This service has been started by AICTSL keeping in view the empowerment, self-reliance and safety of women.
• Two female drivers 'Ritu Narwale' and 'Archana Katare' and female Conductors 'Lakshmi Aswara' and 'Pushpa Chauhan' are working in this bus.
• Both the women drivers have been given one month special training to drive the Pink bus.
• These pink buses are equipped with innovative technologies like CCTV cameras, on board units, and sensor doors. About two thousand women will be able to travel in this bus every day.
• The state's first passenger 'Pink Bus' operated by a woman driver is a sign of women's self-reliance and empowerment.